Ever checked how fast your Internet was with Speedtest but don’t fully understand the results? Maybe you’ve seen an advertisement for fast Internet connection speeds but aren’t sure what 100 Mbps means. If you can relate to either of these scenarios, we’re here to help clarify some of your questions!
Demystifying Mbps, what it really means, and how much you actually need.
Read on for the first installment of our series, “Mbps 101,” to learn about the basics of Internet speed and the common misconceptions people may have about it.
FAQs on Mbps
Q: What does Mbps mean in those Internet speed tests or those advertisements for fast Internet?
A: Mbps is the acronym for Megabits per second and is the standard measure used for a network connection’s speed, similar to how fast a car runs in mph or kph.
Q: What does it mean when an Internet service provider promises ‘up to 100 Mbps’?
A: This is the maximum Internet speed your connection can achieve, more technically known as your network’s bandwidth. Bandwidth, however, also represents your connection’s capacity–the more your provider can deliver, the more you’ll be able to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Think of bandwidth as an engine that dictates the top speed if it’s only powering one car. However, since multiple devices can connect to a single Internet connection, that engine is now powering multiple cars at the same time. So the higher your connection’s bandwidth, the higher your possible download speed and upload speed becomes for all your devices.
Q: So bandwidth is not my download speed or upload speed?
A: Yes, Bandwidth is not the same as your actual Internet speed. Download speed or upload speed is more technically called Throughput. If bandwidth is akin to the top speed of your car, throughput is your current speed while you’re actually driving.
Q: Why is my download speed and upload speed not the same?
A: This is by design because most Internet users perform downloads rather than uploads. Similar to how our cars’ speed is purposefully limited while reversing, Internet service providers allocate the focus of available bandwidth to the activity most users use the Internet for.
Q: Why can’t I maximize my bandwidth and have my throughput be equal to it all the time?
A: Similar to how our cars can’t reach their promised speeds, or how we can’t drive at our car’s top speed all the time, there are multiple factors why we can’t fully use our connection’s bandwidth. One of those factors is ping rate.
Q: What is ping rate?
A: Ping rate, or also known as latency, is the measure of how quickly your device gets a response after you’ve sent out a request. Think of it as how fast your car responds after you step on the accelerator or brake. Unlike bandwidth and throughput, ping rate is measured in milliseconds, and the lower your ping rate, the better and more seamless your network’s performance is.
Debunking Common Misconceptions
- “I should get the speed as advertised in my plan.” Unfortunately, this is not always the case. What is advertised is the fixed amount of bandwidth and not possible throughput, as the latter is affected by multiple factors that make it constantly change.
- “Your Internet connection is always to blame for slow performance.” This is untrue. Your connection’s performance can also be affected by the server of the website, app, or game you’re trying to access by limiting your accessible bandwidth and thus lowering your throughput.
How much bandwidth do you actually need for certain activities?
Now that you know about the basics, here’s a helpful guide to help you gauge how much Bandwidth is ideal for your usage!
While we’re at it, check out our next article to find out how much bandwidth you actually need based on your lifestyle!